Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin
Album: Live At Calstock
Label: Dragon Fly
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.philliphenryandhannahmartin.co.uk

Anyone who has seen Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin play live will know what to expect from this, their first live album. For those who haven't experienced them live, I can sum it up in one word- stunning. Phil and Hannah are, quite simply, the most exciting and inventive duo on the folk scene. Not for nothing did they win the coveted "Best Duo" award at the 2014 Radio 2 Folk Awards.

I was fortunate to see them in concert in March this year [the review can be found at www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/2014/HenryMartin.html ]. Now you can experience their live show in the comfort of your own home [or anywhere else, for that matter] thanks to their latest release "Live in Calstock" which was recorded on 10th May at the converted Cornish Chapel, which is now Calstock Arts Centre.

"Live in Calstock" is the perfect representation of Phil and Hannah's amazing live show. It contains thirteen tracks, eight of which feature on their two studio albums "Singing the Bones" and "Mynd", both of which are highly recommended.

Hannah describes the live album as "a revisiting of the old and the unveiling of the new, side by side".

From the first studio album they give us re-arranged versions of "Old Adam the Poacher", "Death and the Lady", "Three Witches" and "The Painter" and representing "Mynd" we have "Thirty Miles", a medley ["Elegy/Whitsun Dance and Banks of the Nile"], "Silbury Hill" and "The Nailmakers' Strike Part II".

Suffice it to say that the revamped versions of these previously released tracks more than live up to their respective studio versions. My particular favourite is the mysterious and enigmatic "Silbury Hill", which features Phil's atmospheric dobro playing alongside Hannah's ethereal vocals.

Those who are familiar with the duo's studio albums will, doubtless, wish to know more about the five previously unreleased tracks.

The first of these is a new song by Phil, "Stones", which he says was written in response to the controversial views expressed by politicians of a certain political party during the recent European elections. A highly topical and relevant song, which features Phil's Indian -influenced slide playing along with Hannah's beautifully expressive vocals.

"Underground Railroad" is a highlight of Phil and Hannah's live set. On this remarkable piece Phil imitates the sound of a train using harmonica, stompbox and beatboxing. The inspiration for this tune came from the secret movement of escaped slaves as they made the journey from the Southern to the Northern states in the time before the American Civil War. I can say, without hesitation, that this is the best musical evocation of the sound of a train that I have heard and clearly the audience in Calstock thought so too, judging by the applause.

Phil takes lead vocals on "Roseville Fair" by Bill Staines. I was previously familiar with this lovely song, as it appears on Nanci Griffiths' 1984 album "Once In A Very Blue Moon". Hannah and Phil's version features a gorgeously lyrical viola solo from Hannah, who also sings harmony.

The virtuosity of this pair can clearly be heard on the fast-paced instrumental "When I Get Home", which demonstrates their mastery of their instruments [as if there was ever any doubt about that].

The last of the new tracks is "Green Boots/I Don't Wanna Know".The first part of this inspired pairing is a tune by Phil on which he plays the Indian slide guitar, known as the Chatturangi and this segues seamlessly in the late John Martyn's "I Don't Wanna Know" [I don't wanna know 'bout evil, I only wanna know 'bout love"]. Phil's solo in this much-loved John Martyn song is nothing short of astonishing, you've got to hear it to believe it.

Those who have seen Phillip and Hannah perform will, no doubt, want this cd as a reminder of what will undoubtedly have been a superb show. Those unfortunate souls who haven't yet been to one of their concerts should get hold of this cd immediately to see what they have missed - two brilliant performers at the height of their powers. Highly recommended.

Peter Cowley